The roadmap for South Coast athletes to return to the community sports fields over the coming months was revealed during Monday's NSW government COVID-19 press conference.
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All summer sports slated to start in October will likely now start in November once the state's extended lockdown ends and the adult vaccination rate rates hit 80 per cent across NSW.
"We'd have ticketed events in what we'd call a very restricted and controlled environment. In community sports you're relying on volunteers. You have canteens and a range of activities that you have no ability to police," NSW deputy premier John Barilaro said.
"You can't police spectators on the sideline so we tend to err on the side of caution. It's easier for us not to permit community sport during this lifting of restrictions in the regions or even at the 70 per cent mark. Yes, it's unfortunate, but it's about the balancing game.
"Community sport won't return and it won't return until technically we get to 80 per cent double vaccinations.
"Under the roadmap that we announced on Thursday, the 70 per cent roadmap, which is the NSW roadmap, it still prevents and precludes community sport coming back.
"Now, we haven't announced what happens at 80 per cent yet, we'll do that in the weeks ahead, but community sport will, in my mind, return when we get to 80 per cent double vaccination across the state.
"So between now and, possibly that could be early to mid-November, there won't be any community sport."
Australian Community Media understands Cricket NSW is going to reveal its return to play protocols, in which all participants - including players, coaches, mangers, scorers and spectators - are going to have to be vaccinated.
South Coast Surf Lifesaving Branch president Steve Jones confirmed last week their nippers program at their nine clubs, would be delayed.
"We hope to return to the beach in some capacity this season and administer our water safety programs, which is a crucial part of what we do," Jones said.
"Obviously all the sand activities are fun but we also need to train our kids to be safe in the ocean."